Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s address at Indian Community Reception in Munich, Germany
Namaskar!
How are you?
I am told that many of you have traveled a long distance to come here today. I can see the culture, unity and fraternity of India in all of you. I can never forget this love. I am sure the people in India would be feeling very proud after watching your love, zeal and enthusiasm in the news.
Friends,
This day is also known for another reason. Today is 26th June. An attempt was made 47 years ago to hold democracy, which is our pride and which is in the DNA of every Indian, hostage and to crush it. The period of Emergency is like a dark spot in India's vibrant democratic history. But the supremacy of the centuries-old democratic traditions triumphed over this dark spot and democratic traditions prevailed over these antics.
The people of India answered all the conspiracies to crush democracy in a democratic way. We Indians take pride in our democracy wherever we live. Every Indian can proudly say that India is the mother of democracy. Our history of thousands of years of democracy is still alive in every nook and corner of India. With so many languages, dialects and different lifestyles, India's democracy remains vibrant. Every citizen has faith and hope in democracy which is empowering their life.
India has proved how well democracy is delivering in such a vast and diverse country. The way crores of Indians have achieved big goals together is unprecedented. Today every village of India is open defecation free. Today electricity has reached every village in India. Today almost every village in India is connected by road. Today more than 99% of people in India have a gas connection for clean cooking. Today every family in India is connected with the banking system. Today every poor of India is getting the facility of free treatment of five lakh rupees.
India has ensured free food grains to 80 crore poor for the last two years since Corona struck. Moreover, a unicorn is formed on an average every ten days in India in the world of start-ups. Today 5,000 patents are filed in India on an average every month. Today India is manufacturing more than 500 modern railway coaches on an average every month. Today India is connecting an average of 18 lakh households every month with piped water supply. The list of accomplishments of Indians is very long. If I keep elaborating, it will be time for your dinner.
Friends,
When a country takes the right decisions at the right time with the right intention and takes everyone along, then its rapid development is certain. You are all aware of how much Germany and other countries benefited from the Third Industrial Revolution in the last century. India was a slave at that time. As a result, it fell far behind in this race. But today the India of the 21st century is not among those who lag behind in Industry 4.0 in the fourth industrial revolution, but is one of the leaders.
India is creating waves in information and digital technology. India accounts for 40 percent of the real time digital payments transactions in the world. Today India is creating new records in data consumption. India is one of the countries where data is cheapest. The speed with which people are adopting new technology in the new India of the 21st century can surprise anyone.
About 110 crore people have registered on the CoWIN portal for vaccinations and vaccination certificates. Today, about 22 crore Indians are connected to Arogya Setu, a special app created for the tracking of corona infection. About 50 lakh sellers are associated with the Government e-market place i.e, GeM, created by the government to make purchases. Today 12-15 lakh Indians are booking online tickets every day to travel by train.
The way drone technology is being used in India today is unprecedented. You will be surprised to know that drones are spraying fertilizers in many areas of the country. The government has started the Svamitva scheme. Under this scheme, drones are mapping the land and houses in lakhs of villages of the country. Property certificates are being given to crores of citizens through this campaign. The use of drone technology is also on the rise during natural disasters, relief and rescue operations.
Friends,
Today’s India has come out of the ‘chalta hai’ attitude it once had and is on its way to taking a pledge of ‘have to do’ and ‘have to do on time’. India is now ready, raring and impatient. India is impatient for progress and development, India is impatient for its dreams, India is impatient to turn its dreams into resolutions and achieve them. India today believes in itself and its own potential.
We are breaking old records and achieving new goals. Let me give you an example. India had decided in 2016 that 40 percent of our total electricity generation capacity will be from non-fossil fuel by 2030. India has achieved this target even though we are eight years away from 2030. We had set a target of 10 percent ethanol blending in petrol. This target has also been achieved by the country five months before the deadline.
You are also well aware of the speed and scale of Covid vaccinations in India. Today, 90% of adults in India have received both doses of the vaccines. There are 95% of adults who have taken at least one dose. This is the same India about which some people were saying that it will take 10-15 years for the 1.25 billion population to get vaccinated. Today, when I am talking to you, the number of vaccine doses in India has crossed 196 crores i.e. 1.96 billions. The ‘Made in India’ vaccines have saved the lives of crores of people in India as well as the world from Corona.
Friends,
I remember the Start-up India campaign was just an idea when I came to Germany in 2015. India did not figure in the realm of start-ups then. Today India has the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. There was a time when India used to buy even the simplest smartphones from outside. Today India is the second largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world and now mobile phones made in India are being exported. When I would discuss with colleagues like you about seven-eight years ago, our biotech economy used to be 10 billion dollars i.e. 75,000 crore rupees. Today it is eight times more and has crossed $ 80 billion i.e. six lakh crore rupees.
Friends,
The courage of the people of India is our biggest strength even in the most difficult situations. Friends, our last year’s exports have been the highest till date. This is proof that on one hand our manufacturers are ready for new opportunities, while the world is also looking at us with hope and confidence. Last year, India exported engineering goods worth 111 billion dollars i.e. 8.30 lakh crore rupees. India's exports of cotton and handloom products have also increased by 55 percent.
The government has also started a production linked incentive PLI scheme worth about Rs 2 lakh crore to step up manufacturing in India. Next year we want to increase our export target even more and you can help a lot in this regard. Similarly, FDI inflows are also making new records.
Friends,
When the citizens of a country get involved in fulfilling the national resolutions with the spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas’  and public participation, then they also get the support of the big powers of the world. Today we can see how the big powers of the world want to walk shoulder to shoulder with India. Today, India is moving ahead on the path of progress with the determination of its countrymen. With the determination and participation of people, India's efforts are becoming a mass movement today. This is what gives me assurance and confidence about the future of the country.
For example, organic farming remains a topic of discussion in the world, but the farmers of India themselves are coming forward and implementing it. Similarly, climate change is not just an issue of government policies in India today. The youth of India is investing in EVs and other similar pro-climate technologies. Sustainable climate practices are becoming a part of the life of the common man in India today.
Open defecation was a major problem in India till 2014 but we have built more than 10 crore toilets in the country. Today cleanliness is becoming a lifestyle in India. The people and the youth of India are considering it their duty to keep the country clean. Today, the people of India are confident that their money is being spent honestly for the country and is not falling prey to corruption. As a result, cash compliance is on the rise and it is not due to any legal process, but it is happening spontaneously.
Friends,
All of us are celebrating Amrit Mahotsav, 75 years of our independence this year. In the 75th year of independence, India is witnessing unprecedented inclusiveness and millions of aspirations being affected by it. India today is full of unprecedented possibilities. Under the leadership of a strong, stable and decisive government, India is also dreaming new dreams, taking new resolutions and working hard to realize those resolutions. Our policy is clear and there is a strong commitment to reforms. Where we have to reach after five years is also decided and the roadmap for self-reliance for the next 25 years, when the country will celebrate the centenary of independence, is also ready.
Friends,
Gone are the days when we used to crib if something happened in the world. Today India is not a country cribbing over global challenges, but it is providing solutions to these challenges. We want to enable the whole world to fight against disasters through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure . Today, we are bringing the countries of the world on one platform through the International Solar Alliance so that the benefits of affordable and environment-friendly energy can be passed on to the world. We have presented the dream of ‘One Sun-One World-One Grid’ before the world. India itself has experienced its benefits in the last eight years. There has been a record capacity of solar power in India and it is available at 2 or 2.5 rupees per unit.
The scale with which India is working on green hydrogen and is partnering with friendly countries like Germany is also in the interest of humanity. With the establishment of the WHO Center for Traditional Medicine in India, India is also becoming a global center of ancient medicine systems of the world.
Friends,
You are very well aware of the power of yoga. It has gripped the entire world.
Friends,
Today's New India is creating a new legacy for the future generations. The biggest strength of this campaign to create a new legacy is our youth. We have come up with the first education policy of the 21st century to empower the youth of India. For the first time, the option of studying medical and engineering in mother tongue has been given in India.
All of you in Germany know the benefits of studying medical and engineering in one’s mother tongue. Now the youth of India will also get the same benefit. The new education policy also has a strong focus on global partnerships for higher education and research. I am mentioning this today because there are many opportunities for the institutions of Germany in this regard.
Friends,
You have created a strong image of India here through your hard work in the last few decades. The expectations from you have increased even more in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence i.e., in the next 25 years. You are also the success story of India and also the brand ambassador of India's successes. Therefore, I always tell my Indian brothers and sisters spread across the world that they are the national ambassadors. There are a few ambassadors in the government system, whereas I have crores of ambassadors who are taking my country forward.
Friends,
I express my gratitude to all of you for the love, the blessings, and organizing such a wonderful program with enthusiasm. I also got an opportunity to meet you. Be safe and happy.
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Thanks a lot!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.